Shonan Beach Walking

“Shonan” is a name of area from Hayama to Ninomiya facing the Sea of Sagami. Shonan is a brand name. Its characteristics are:

• Ocean view
• Warm climate
• Marine sports spots
• Nice view of Mt. Fuji
• Some celebrities live and used to live there.
  

Last month I walked along the shonan beaches. It took five days to finish this Shonan Beach Walking Project. I thought winter is the best season for walking. Differently from summer, they were not crowded and rather quiet; deeply you can feel the ocean wind.

The following was my schedule:
1st day: Chigasaki to Enoshima
2nd day: Enoshima to Kamakura
3rd day: Yuigahama to Hayama
4th day: Chigasaki to Oiso
5th day: Oiso to Mt. Azuma, Ninomiya

(Enoshima Viewing from Inamuragasaki)

(Mt. Fuji Floating in the Sky)

(Rest at Beach, Chigasaki)

(Praying in the Sunset)

For more photos, access to my Web site:

http://www.realjapan.org/photo/ShonanW1/index.html

http://www.realjapan.org/photo/ShonanW2/index.html

The shonan map is shown below.

Legend:

1 Isshiki Beach
2 Morito Beach
3 Zushi Beach
4 Zaimokuza Beach
5 Yuigahama Beach
6 Shichirigahama
7 Katase Beach
8 Tsujido Beach
9 Chigasaki Beach
10 Oiso Beach
11 River Nameri
12 River Sagami

13 Mt. Azuma

Setsubun

Spring started today according to the old calendar; so yesterday was Setsubun which means the end of winter. At major temples around the country, bean-scattering ceremony took place. Men and women of year scatter beans to drive away evil spirits, saying, “Fortune in and demons out.”

I visited Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura. Before bean-scattering ceremony, dance performance was dedicated there. The lion dance and “Kappore” dance were performed by more that sixty men and women. They act to preserve this Edo dance performance. It was interesting to perform Edo dance in Kamakura.

For more information about Setsubun, please access to my Web site:

http://www.realjapan.org/life/event/februaryevent.html

(Kappore Dance)

(Kappore Dance)

(Bean Scattering Ceremony)

(Bean Scattering Ceremony)

(Lion Dance)